1997

On a Christian campus such as Pacific Union College, religious and social programs are specially designed and planned to enrich the lives of college students. However, despite the choices available, some students find themselves searching for a more personalized spiritual experience and meaningful relationships. Fortunately there are options and opportunities here at PUC that students can seize and use to change their lives, but it takes some personal effort.Lana Feiss, a senior liberal studies major, and I decided to plan a group weekend trip to Albion, Pacific Union College's marine field station, located on the Mendocino coast.We ended up with nineteen eager adventurers who desired to spend some time in nature, make new friends and get to know the Lord better. After the four hour drive to Albion, everyone devoured the pancake and waffle breakfast we prepared in our cabins.The Albion River was begging for us to canoe its salted estuary, full of seals, osprey, and kingfishers. Joel Dulhunty, a senior biochemistry major, was the first to trek out towards the river and lead the way to our canoes, paddles and life-jackets. He especially enjoyed observing all of God's creatures on the river. Dulhunty commented, "The seals were mangy looking...

Pacific Union College is conferring an honorary doctor of music degree on Herbert Blomstedt, music director laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15, in the college's Paulin Hall. Blomstedt will also be inducted into the prestigious Pi Kappa Lambda music honors society during the event. A reception will follow in the Fireside Room."We would like to honor Herbert Blomstedt for his musical contributions and his Christian life," said Malcolm Maxwell, president of Pacific Union College. "He is regarded as one of the finest musicians in the world. We think of him as a very fine Seventh-day Adventist Christian as well, someone who is proud of his Christianity." Blomstedt was music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1985 to 1995. He is now music director of the NDR Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg, Germany, and is an active recording artist and guest conductor with other leading orchestras around the world. Blomstedt has been invited each year to return as guest conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, which he will conduct on March 20 and 22.Blomstedt has received many awards and honors, including two Grammy Awards (1996, 1993), the Grand Prix du Disque (1992), the Litteris et...

Charlie Brown, land management director at Pacific Union College, is "dad" and "grandpa" to a large number of foster children. He and his wife Pat, who have three grown biological children, have been foster parents to a total of 67 children over the past 27 years.The Browns have lived in Angwin since 1973, and are members of the Pacific Union College church. They got into the foster-care field after hearing about the need for good foster homes. "We decided to give it a try as long as the state would give us children younger than our own," said Brown.The Browns' condition was met, and for 17 years they provided shelter and care to battered and abused children of a variety of ages. For the last ten years, the Browns have worked with medically fragile infants, most of whom were drug-addicted at birth. "We just tough it through with them and give them a lot of care and a lot of holding," said Brown.The babies take anywhere from three months to a year to withdraw from drugs; and while they do, the Browns have to care for them constantly. "I try to go to bed early and sleep until about 3...

The Black Student Forum (BSF) Gospel Choir, initially organized by BSF Club members to sing for Black History Weekend, is now a student-based ministry consisting of students from a wide range of ethnic cultures and backgrounds.The 52-member choir has performed for churches and schools in Northern and Southern California, including special appearances at the Black Convocation in Richmond. The choir works on a voluntary basis and is open to anyone interested in black culture and gospel music.Colleen Sovory, who directed the choir last year, said everyone had to grow as the choir became more culturally diverse. "It was a learning experience for the members, and the choir has evolved into a more cosmopolitan sound," she said. "But the love of music and the Lord brought them all together."Sovory, now an enrollment counselor at PUC, remembers the choir as "informal" when it started in 1991. She was a student and a member of the BSF club at the time. "We started the choir because many students were used to singing gospel music, but no one on campus was doing it."Several years later, Sovory was working in Sacramento when a student from Pacific Union College asked her to direct the choir for...

Jerry Dodrill, a senior fine art major at Pacific Union College, tied for second place in "The California Dream" student photography competition, sponsored by Mumm Cuvee Napa, the Academy of Art College, and by Canon. In addition to receiving a $1,000 prize and a Canon camera, Dodrill is displaying eight of his photographs in "The California Dream" art exhibition together with the contest judges, Ruth Bernhard, Robert Cameron, Galen Rowell, Robert Buelteman, and James Wood. Ngan-Ha Ho, who won first prize, and Shen-Fa Lin, who tied with Dodrill for second, are displaying works as well."I could hardly believe it when I heard that Jerry will be in an exhibition with Ruth Bernhard, Galen Rowell, and the other judges," said Tom Turner, assistant professor of art at Pacific Union College. "It's a real honor, almost like sharing an exhibit with Ansel Adams."Most of Dodrill's photographs, which are gelatin silver prints, are taken outdoors."I really deal with texture, like the texture of corrugated metal," said Dodrill. "Usually my stuff is close up. I take a lot of pictures of old things, like old buildings or an old furnace door. Rock climbing is one of my main interests. I did a climbing shot...

You've heard the higher education horror stories: all-night cram sessions, mass caffeine ingestion, Blue Book essay exams. But despite what your parents have told you, college is not all work and no play. Consider this alternate true life tale involving 25 relaxed undergraduates and a handful of English teachers.It was an open-mike gathering in the tradition of the beatniks. There was no tension in the candlelit atmosphere. People calmly sipped hot cider as poets, musicians, and soul daddies stepped up to perform. Who were these hip insiders? None other than members of Pacific Union College's Silverado Club.The Silverado Club is sponsored by the college's English department, and its activities are in no way limited to poetry readings. Previous endeavors have included trips to San Francisco's De Young Museum, come-as-your favorite-author theme parties, film discussion groups, theater outings, creative writing groups, and birthday celebrations for literary legends. Each year, the club is represented at PUC's Fall Festival (the theme of the most recent booth-- an Indian book bazaar complete with massages). The Silverado Club, in conjunction with international Honor's club, Sigma Tau Delta, also produces Quicksilver, an annual publication of student poetry and artwork. At PUC, you needn't tackle Shakespeare 474...

History professor Keith Francis is a key facilitator of PUC's celebration of Black History Month. Francis has been a co-sponsor of Beta Sigma Phi (a student club, also called the Black Student Forum, which organizes Pacific Union College's celebration of Black History Month) since coming to Pacific Union College from England in 1990.Francis, whose parents emigrated to Britain from Grenada in the West Indies, was born and raised in London. He earned a master's degree at King's College, London, and taught communication and history at Newbold College prior to coming Pacific Union College. Francis recently became chair of Pacific Union College's history department, where he teaches Christian history and European history. He completed his doctoral degree in church history from King's College in 1996. His thesis examined the influence of the Anglican church on Parliament in the early 20th century.Francis sees his role as a sponsor of Beta Sigma Phi as an opportunity to promote Christian education among Pacific Union College's constituency. "I've always been interested in minority recruitment, particularly black recruitment," he said. "This is a way I can recruit while still pursing my career as a historian."Francis, usually accompanied by members of Beta Sigma Phi, regularly visits the...

In your opinion, what are the best things about Pacific Union College?The scenery. It is remote, but not too remote. We are away from the city, and I like to be away from the city sometimes. I can see God's beautiful handiwork in all the nature around. I also like the people up here. The teachers are good. Everything! I like the whole school.Who is your favorite teacher?I have more than one favorite teacher. I like Professor Greg King. He has a way of coming in and talking about family experiences. It is like a personal relationship--which is important to students. I really like John McVay, because he's such a learned and brilliant scholar. Myron Widmer has a lot of experience in real-life ministry. This has given him a lot of wisdom, and I admire him for that. I enjoy Angel Hernandez's thought-provoking lectures. I also admire Keith Francis' wide spectrum of knowledge, in everything from history to entertainment.Do you find most of the PUC teachers to be helpful?Definitely. If you are having a problem in class, the teachers will notify you. Most teachers are concerned for their students. My teachers take into consideration my academic life and try to...

They have been "kaptivating" audiences for more than five years with their unique blend of sacred and contemporary Christian music. Sophomores Kathy Caraig, Kristy Caraig, and Amrita Rai are now learning how to use their talents on a larger scale.Kathy, Kristy, and Amrita, who have been friends since the second grade, started singing together "just for fun" as freshmen at Glendale Adventist Academy. "It was more of a hobby, something we loved doing," Kathy said.All three are members of the Eagle Rock Seventh-day Adventist church, where they gave their first performance for the church's renovated sanctuary dedication service in 1992.Eagle Rock Pastor Jim Pedersen said he was pleased when Kathy, Kristy, and Amrita started singing together. "I was pleasantly surprised that we had such talent here," said Pedersen. "They are very spiritually committed and are very good friends, too."After graduating from GAA in 1995, Kathy, Kristy, and Amrita brought their talents to PUC where they were soon dubbed "PUC's Freshman Trio."Actually, their real name is "Kaptivate," and their focus has gradually evolved from hobby to mission. "God has opened the door for us to proclaim His word through music," Amrita said. "We've accepted and we plan to make a difference."This...

Intensity filled the crowd as the Pacific Union College men's basketball team grasped a 77-76 home court win against the CSU Cal Maritime Keelhaulers on Saturday night, Feb. 8.The Pioneers and the Keelhaulers were neck-to-neck the entire match, and were tied 29-29 with 3:02 left in the first half. Pioneer guard Mario Perez banked a three-pointer to bring the Pioneers up 36-31. By the end of the half, PUC was leading 38-34.The second half brought more excitement to the court as Pioneer forward Bryan Patterson executed a three-point play. Perez followed with two three-pointers in a row. Pioneer forward Brett Graves got in on the action with another three-pointer which brought PUC up 52-40 and caused a Keelhauler time-out.With 9:58 left in the second half, Pioneer forward Rob Adams brought the crowd to their feet with a tip-in dunk off of a missed free throw by Perez. The Keelhaulers answered with three consecutive three-pointers from forward Mike Walker which gave them a 61-59 lead.Pioneer forward Matt Hickman got fouled and made both of his free throws, bringing PUC a 77-73 lead with :10 left in the game. The Keelhaulers came back with a three-pointer by Walker with :03 left ....